MIDHANI Partners with HWB and BARC to Recover Nickel and Cobalt from Industrial RevertsMIDHANI Partners with HWB and BARC to Recover Nickel and Cobalt from Industrial Reverts
MIDHANI has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Heavy Water Board and the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre to recover nickel and cobalt from plant reverts. The collaboration brings together specialised metallurgical manufacturing and advanced scientific research to improve the recovery of valuable metals from industrial process residues.
Nickel and cobalt are strategically important materials used in specialised alloys, high-performance engineering applications and advanced industrial technologies. Recovering these metals from plant reverts can help convert manufacturing residues into reusable resources, improve material utilisation and reduce the loss of valuable inputs during production.
Strategic Significance
The MoU was signed on October 27, 2026 by Dr. S. V. S. Narayana Murty, Chairman and Managing Director of MIDHANI; V. V. S. A. Prasad, Chairman and Chief Executive of HWB; and Dr. Alok Awasthi, Associate Director, Materials Group, BARC. The partnership aims to develop efficient and sustainable methods for recovering valuable metals from industrial residues.
The initiative is particularly relevant to India’s defence and aerospace manufacturing ecosystem where high-performance alloys require specialised raw materials. Improved recovery of nickel and cobalt could strengthen domestic material security, improve production efficiency and generate greater value from existing industrial resources.
Policy and Industrial Impact
The collaboration reflects India’s broader push towards resource efficiency, strategic-material self-reliance and circular manufacturing. Recovering critical metals from industrial residues could help reduce dependence on primary raw materials and limit exposure to international supply-chain disruptions. It may also contribute to waste reduction and more sustainable industrial production.
However, the actual impact will depend on the effectiveness of the recovery technology, commercial viability and the scale of implementation. Specific production targets, investment figures and commercialisation timelines have not been disclosed in the available reports.
Governance Bharat Perspective
The MIDHANI–HWB–BARC partnership highlights the role of scientific research in strengthening India’s strategic manufacturing capabilities. Recovering nickel and cobalt from industrial reverts could support domestic supply chains, improve resource productivity and advance sustainable manufacturing across defence, aerospace and other high-technology sectors.
